Mar. 28, 2014

Robert Britt of Asbury Park has been accused by federal prosecutors of running a heroin and cocaine trafficking ring in Monmouth and Ocean counties, even after he was put in prison. / COURTESY N.J. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

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@DanielRadelAPP

Twenty-one people have been charged by federal officials with running a heroin and cocaine trafficking ring in Monmouth and Ocean counties. U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul J. Fishman is seen in a 2013 file photo. / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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They acted like any regular businessmen, concerned about the quality of their product, distribution, competition and customers in a business that could generate nearly $400,000 a week. Only they were selling heroin and cocaine in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to federal prosecutors.

For more than a year, law-enforcement agents listened in as ringleaders spoke in coded messages about their dealings, prosecutors said. And on Thursday, federal, state and local law enforcement moved, charging 21 people in what they called the Britt-Young DTO (Drug-Trafficking Organization).

“This is a sophisticated network. They’re into marketing,” said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, whose agency participated in the bust. “They’re the true pusher, the true predator. They developed their clientele and they want to service that clientele.”

U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul J. Fishman said the leaders of the organization were two Asbury Park men — Robert Britt, also known as “True,” 42, and Rufus Young, also known as “Equan,” “E-Money” and “Kintock.” Britt continued to run the organization even after he was put in state prison last April following a drug conviction, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

'Large distribution ring'

“This was a large distribution ring operating in New Jersey. They were doing to my knowledge at least one kilogram of heroin a week,” Coronato said.

One kilogram can sell for $38,000 to a distributor or dealer. However, on the street, its value can climb as high as $380,000.

“Once you’ve got that kilo of heroin, if you cut it and sell per gram, that’s 100 bucks a gram. You do the math,” said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.

However, Coronato said authorities aren’t naive enough to believe this will rid the streets of heroin. “I’m sure there are other people who are going to try and fill the void,” he said.

The drug ring sold prepackaged bundles of heroin, containing approximately one-fifth of a gram, and “bricks,” which contained approximately one gram, prosecutors said. Law enforcement said they recorded telephone conversations and text messages between the defendants about drug quality, consumer satisfaction and pricing.

Dealing with product complaints

“Already getting complaints it’s way too small,” texted Travis Whitfield, one of the Britt-Young DTO dealers known as “Trav,” to Young about the size of the heroin bags, according to prosecutors.

Since February 2013, investigators used intercepted cellphone calls, confidential informants and other means to learn that Britt and Young were the leaders, responsible for finding sources of supply for heroin and overseeing distributors and others who sold, packaged and stored the drugs.

Prosecutors say the drug ring members used temporary prepaid phones, replacing them after a few weeks of use, and spoke in codes to avoid detection. “Wiz Power” was code for 25 bricks of heroin (equal to 25 grams), and “White Girl” was code for cocaine.

Britt continued to be a leader, identifying new sources of supply, narcotics customers and other unlawful opportunities for the drug ring, even after he was jailed, prosecutors said. In a recorded conversation, Britt told Young that he instructed a dealer to go to a Toms River Narcotics Anonymous meeting to find some of his old customers, they said.

Eighteen of the 21 charged are from Monmouth and Ocean counties. Thirteen were arrested Thursday morning, five were already in custody, and three are fugitives, officials said.

The 13 arrested Thursday made initial appearances in the afternoon at Trenton federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Each defendant was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and they were all detained, said Matthew Reilly, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charge carries a minimum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

“This case highlights what has become all too clear: Heroin is a serious problem that affects communities across New Jersey,” Fishman was quoted as saying in the news release announcing the arrests.

The drug ring acquired heroin from various suppliers, including Thomas Shannon, a 35-year-old from Asbury Park and Jersey City also known as “Cuzzo,” who got drugs from out-of-state suppliers and laundered the sale proceeds, prosecutors said.

Shannon received drugs through the mail, and took them to stash houses he controlled in Asbury Park and Long Branch, prosecutors said. Shannon deposited cash from his narcotics sales into various third-party “straw” bank accounts, they said.

Fishman credited the FBI, the Brick and Toms River police departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Monmouth County and Ocean County prosecutor’s offices, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Neptune, Asbury Park, Marlboro, Long Branch and Freehold police departments for their roles in the case.

In addition to Britt, Young, and Shannon, Anthony Brooks, 44, of San Bernardino, Calif., and Rashawn Ramos, 37, of Perth Amboy were already charged and detained before Thursday’s arrests. Those arrested Thursday were: